Information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a data amount detection unit and a recording unit. The data amount detection unit detects a data amount of data which is related to image processing and is included in transmission information transmitted when performing image processing. The recording unit adds and records the detected data amount.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 15/466,065filed on Mar. 22, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2017-029254, filed Feb. 20, 2017, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

An embodiment described herein relates generally to an informationprocessing apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, an image forming apparatus detects an amount of datato be subjected to image processing based on parameters of a job to besubjected to image processing. The detected data amount is recorded foreach user of the image forming apparatus, and is used for, for example,use management of the image forming apparatus such as accountingmanagement or user restriction according to the data amount.

Further, in data transmission related to image processing, there arecases where a CPU controls data transmission, and where datatransmission is performed without control of the CPU. For example, indata transmission between image processing circuits, the imageprocessing circuit directly transmits data without the control of theCPU.

However, in image processing, when data transmission is performedwithout the control of the CPU, the CPU cannot detect the data amount inimage processing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a part of the hardwareconfiguration of the information processing apparatus according to theembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating a data configuration oftransmission data according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of aninformation processing circuit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of theinformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating user ID addition processing of theinformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating accounting information generationprocessing of the information processing apparatus according to theembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An object of an exemplary embodiment described herein is to provide aninformation processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capableof detecting and recording the data amount related to image processing.

In general, according to one embodiment, an information processingapparatus includes a data amount detection unit and a recording unit.The data amount detection unit detects a data amount of data which isrelated to image processing and is included in transmission informationtransmitted when performing image processing. The recording unit recordsthe detected data amount.

Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus and an image formingapparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference tothe drawings. In the following description, the same reference numeralsare given to the components having the same functions or similarfunctions. Further, the description of the repeated configuration may beomitted.

First, a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to an embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates an image formingapparatus having an image forming function as an embodiment of aninformation processing apparatus. In the present embodiment, imageforming means forming an image with toner or ink on a recording mediumsuch as paper, for example. The image forming may include forming anelectrostatic image on a photoconductive body or the like, and formingelectronic data of an image on a memory, and the like.

In FIG. 1, an information processing apparatus 1 includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 11, a random access memory (RAM) 12, a read onlymemory (ROM) 13, a hard disk drive (HDD) 14, a display unit 15, anoperation unit 16, a network interface (I/F) 17, a card reader 18, animage reading unit 19, a printing unit 20, an image processing circuit21, an image processing circuit 22, an information processing circuit23, and a bus 29 for connecting the components.

The CPU 11 controls the information processing apparatus 1 by executinga program stored in the RAM 12, the ROM 13, or the HDD 14. The CPU 11executes a control program for realizing an operation of the informationprocessing apparatus 1. The control program for realizing the operationof the information processing apparatus 1 may be acquired from, forexample, a recording medium in which the control program is recorded, aserver via a network, or the like.

The display unit 15 is, for example, a display panel having a displayfunction. The operation unit 16 is, for example, a control panel havingan input function. The display unit 15 and the operation unit 16 may berealized by a device such as a touch panel that has a display functionand an input function. The network I/F 17 controls communication with acomputer 8 which is connected by wired communication or wirelesscommunication via a network 9. The computer 8 transmits, for example,job data to be subjected to image processing, to the informationprocessing apparatus 1. The card reader 18 reads and acquires userinformation recorded on an IC card.

The image reading unit 19 is a scanner that reads an image of anoriginal document. The image reading unit 19 reads an image on one sideor both sides of an original document placed on a flat bed or anoriginal document automatically fed from an auto document feeder (ADF),and generates image data. The printing unit 20 is a printer that formsan image on paper by an electrophotographic system or an ink jet system.The printing unit 20 may be a printer that prints an image with adecolorable recording material.

The image processing circuit 21 and the image processing circuit 22 arecircuits for executing image processing. Here, image processing meansexpansion of an image, compression of an image, rasterization of animage, color space conversion of an image, color correction of an image,correction of distortion of an image, correction of inclination of animage, or the like, for example. In the image processing, for example,when the CPU 11 controls and processes image data stored in the RAM 12,the CPU 11 subsequently reads the image data stored in the RAM 12 andtransmits the image data to the image processing circuit 21. Further,the CPU 11 stores image data processed by the image processing circuit22 in the RAM 12. In FIG. 1, although a case where there are two imageprocessing circuits, which are the image processing circuit 21 and theimage processing circuit 22, is illustrated, the number of the imageprocessing circuits in the information processing apparatus 1 is notlimited thereto. For example, one image processing circuit may be used,or three or more image processing circuits may be used.

Meanwhile, in some cases, the image data is provided with a portion suchas a header portion to which information is added. Thus, userinformation can be added to the image data. The user information isinformation for identifying a user of the information processingapparatus 1. The user information is, for example, a user ID, an ID ofthe computer 8 used by a user, an ID of an organization to which a userbelongs, or the like. The CPU 11 can determine that the image data isrelated to which user's job, by referring to the added user information.

On the other hand, some image processing is executed without the controlof the CPU 11. A case where the image data processed by the imageprocessing circuit 21 is subsequently processed by the image processingcircuit 22, is considered. The image processing circuit 21 can directlytransmit the processed image data to the image processing circuit 22,based on an I/F specification of the bus 29, for example. The imageprocessing circuit 21 can perform high-speed data transmission withoutrequiring a read time or a write time from or to the RAM 12 or the like,by directly transmitting data. When direct data transmission isperformed, the CPU 11 cannot refer to the user information recorded inthe header of the image data or the like.

The information processing circuit 23 is an aspect of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Theinformation processing circuit 23 detects an amount of data, byreferring to the image data transmitted to the image processing circuit21 or the image processing circuit 22, or the image data transmittedfrom the image processing circuit 21 or the like. The image data is anaspect of transmission information which is transmitted. Thetransmission information transmitted includes at least one ofinformation transmitted to the image processing circuit and informationtransmitted from the image processing circuit. In the related art, inorder to detect an amount of data related to image processing, whenprocessing a job, as described above, it is necessary for the CPU toanalyze a job parameter. In the present embodiment, the informationprocessing circuit 23 detects an amount of data based on thetransmission information (image data) which is transmitted. Accordingly,even though the CPU does not analyze a job, it is possible to detect theamount of data related to image processing. Details of the informationprocessing circuit 23 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2or FIG. 3. In FIG. 1, although a case where there is one informationprocessing circuit 23 is illustrated, the number of the informationprocessing circuits 23 in the information processing apparatus 1 is notlimited to one. For example, the information processing apparatus 1 mayinclude a plurality of information processing circuits 23.

Acquisition of User Information

The information processing apparatus 1 can acquire the user informationfrom the operation unit 16, the network I/F 17, the card reader 18, orthe like. For example, a user of the information processing apparatus 1can input user information by inputting a password using input keys ofthe operation unit 16. In addition, a user can transmit a job (forexample, a print job) including user information from the computer 8 viathe network I/F 17. Further, a user can input user information bycausing the card reader 18 to read an IC card. The informationprocessing apparatus 1 can perform use management such as accountingmanagement and user restriction, based on the user information input bya user.

In FIG. 1, although the information processing circuit 23 is illustratedas an aspect of the information processing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment, the information processing apparatus may be anapparatus including the information processing circuit 23. That is, theinformation processing apparatus 1 (image forming apparatus) is anotheraspect of the information processing apparatus according to the presentembodiment.

Next, a block diagram illustrating a part of the hardware configurationof the information processing apparatus 1 according to the embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, the CPU 11, the image processing circuit 21, and the imageprocessing circuit 22 are connected to each other via the bus 29. Theinformation processing circuit 23 a is connected to the input directionof transmission data of the image processing circuit 21. The informationprocessing circuit 23 b is connected to the output direction oftransmission data of the image processing circuit 21. The informationprocessing circuit 23 c is connected in the input direction oftransmission data of the image processing circuit 22. The informationprocessing circuit 23 d is connected in the output direction oftransmission data of the image processing circuit 22. That is, FIG. 2illustrates a case where the information processing circuits areconnected one by one to the input direction and the output direction ofeach of the image processing circuits. In the following description,when describing common matters of the information processing circuits 23a to 23 d, the information processing circuits 23 a to 23 d areexpressed as the “information processing circuits 23” with the commonreference numeral. In addition, when describing common matters of theimage processing circuit 21 or the image processing circuit 22, theimage processing circuit 21 or the image processing circuit 22 isexpressed as the “image processing circuit” without a reference numeral.

In image processing by the image processing circuit, the informationprocessing circuits 23 detect a data amount of data which is included inthe transmission data and is related to image processing. Theinformation processing circuits 23 detect a data amount of thetransmission data transmitted from the bus 29 or a data amount of thetransmission data transmitted to the bus 29. The transmission dataincludes data to be subjected to image processing (for example, imagedata), and data not to be subjected to image processing (for example,data format, user information, or the like). The information processingcircuits 23 can detect the data amount of the data related to imageprocessing, for example, based on the product of a data width and a datalength of the transmission data. The data width and the data length aredescribed in the transmission data, for example, based on the I/Fspecification of the bus 29. The information processing circuits 23 candetect the data width and the data length described based on the I/Fspecification. When the data width is fixed, the information processingcircuits 23 can detect the data amount by detecting the data length. Inaddition, the information processing circuits 23 may detect the dataamount based on the data transmission time (the number of clocks) or thelike. The information processing circuits 23 can detect an imageprocessing amount of the image processing circuit by detecting the dataamount of the data related to image processing. The detected data amountcan be used, for example, for use management such as accountingmanagement according to the image processing amount.

Further, the information processing circuits 23 identify thetransmission data transmitted from the bus 29 or the user informationwhich is added to the transmission data transmitted to the bus 29. Theinformation processing circuits 23 can identify the added userinformation by referring to the header information of the transmissiondata or the like. The identification of the user information is, forexample, to identify the user ID assigned for each user that isrepresented by a predetermined number of bits. The user ID is identifiedfor recording the data amount of the transmission data. Therefore, theuser ID may be different from, for example, the user informationacquired by the card reader 18 or the like.

In addition, the information processing circuits 23 record the detecteddata amount for each of the identified user information. The recordingof the data amount for each of the user information is, for example,processing of adding the newly detected data amount to the data amountstored for each of the user information. Further, the recording of thedata amount may be processing of subsequently recording information ofthe detected data amount for each of the user information. Theinformation processing circuits 23 may add information such as a userID, identification information of a job, or a detection date and time ofa data amount, to the data amount to be recorded.

In FIG. 2, a case where, for one image processing circuit, oneinformation processing circuit 23 is respectively disposed in each ofthe input direction and the output direction of the transmission data isillustrated. However, for one image processing circuit, one informationprocessing circuit 23 may be disposed. For example, in FIG. 2, for theimage processing circuit 21, when only the information processingcircuit 23 a is disposed, only the transmission data in the inputdirection of the image processing circuit 21 is detected. In addition,one information processing circuit 23 may detect the transmission datain both directions of the input direction and the output direction ofone image processing circuit. Further, for two image processingcircuits, one information processing circuit 23 may be disposed. Even inthis case, the information processing circuit 23 may detect thetransmission data in any one direction of the input direction and theoutput direction of the image processing circuit. In addition, theinformation processing circuit 23 may detect the transmission data inboth directions of the input direction and the output direction of theimage processing circuit.

The information processing circuits 23 can directly detect (withoutcontrol of the CPU 11) the data amount of the transmission datatransmitted to the bus 29, and record the detected data amount.Therefore, the CPU 11 does not need to perform processing such asdetection of the data amount of the transmission data, and thus aprocessing load is reduced. In addition, a circuit including theinformation processing circuits 23 and the image processing circuit canbe integrated as a large-scale integration (LSI) system. When theinformation processing circuits 23 and the image processing circuit areintegrated as a LSI, it is possible to reduce an additional cost of theinformation processing circuits 23.

Next, a timing chart illustrating a data configuration of thetransmission data according to the embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates a case where an AXI bus is usedas the bus 29. The AXI is an interface protocol which is based on aspecification defined by Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture(AMBA) (registered trademark).

The AXI enables data transmission between a master device and a slavedevice in a memory map manner. In the AXI bus, a data width of theinterface differs depending on the specification (version) as a base.The data width of the AXI bus is, for example, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512 or1024 bits. The AXI bus is configured to include signals of channels suchas an address channel, a read data channel, a write data channel, and awrite response channel. The AXI bus can independently transmit data ineach channel. Therefore, it is possible to respectively andindependently perform input of the transmission data to the imageprocessing circuit and output of the transmission data from the imageprocessing circuit. The AXI bus performs data transmission by using eachof signal lines of a DATA line, a VALID line, and a READY line. VALID isa signal indicating that a transmission side which transmits thetransmission data presents valid data as DATA. READY is a signalindicating that a receiving side can receive DATA. That is, datatransmission is established when both of the VALID signal and the READYsignal rise at the same time.

FIG. 3 illustrates a write operation in the AXI bus. The AXI busincludes signals such as AWVALID, AWREADY, AWADDR, AWID, AWUSER, AWLEN,WVALID, WDATA, WSTROBE, WLAST, WREADY, and the like. The AWxxxrepresents a signal which is used for a write operation in an addresschannel. The Wxxx represents a signal which is used for a writeoperation in a data channel. FIG. illustrates data transmission in whichan address is transmitted on an address channel and data is transmittedon a data channel.

In FIG. 3, when the AWVALID signal and the AWREADY signal rise at thesame time, an address and data are transmitted. A user ID is added tothe AWUSER signal. The addition of the user ID to the AWUSER signal isperformed by the CPU 11 illustrated in FIG. 1. The CPU 11 adds the userID to the AWUSER signal of the data transmitted in image processing,based on the user information acquired from the card reader 18 or thelike. In the AXI bus, it is possible to easily acquire information addedto signals of each channel. That is, the information processing circuits23 can easily acquire the user ID by referring to the AWUSER signal ofthe transmission data. The user ID may be one based on the acquired userinformation. For example, when the user information is the name of auser, the user ID may be a number assigned to each user. In addition,the user information and the user ID may be the same value.

In addition, the AWLEN signal includes information of transmission burstlength designated when transmitting data. The burst length is the numberof times of data transmission in burst transmission. The burst lengthvaries depending on a burst type. The burst type is defined by memoryaddressing when transmitting data. The burst type includes an incrementtype for increment of an address, a wrapping type for return to a headaddress when an address reaches the end of a memory, or a fixed type fortransmission with a fixed address during burst transmission. In the caseof the increment type, a burst length of one to sixteen times can bedesignated. In the case of the wrapping type, a burst length of any oneof 2, 4, 8 or 16 times can be designated.

Further, the WDATA signal includes information of the data widthdescribed above. The data amount can be detected by multiplying theburst length included in the AWLEN signal and the data width included inthe WDATA signal. That is, the information processing circuit 23 candirectly acquire the information on the user ID and the data amount byreferring to the signal of the transmission data of the AXI bus. The AXIbus illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example of the bus 29, and a bus basedon another specification may be used.

Next, a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of theinformation processing circuit 23 according to the embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates a case where theinformation processing circuit 23, which is an aspect of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the present embodiment, is realized byhardware.

In FIG. 4, the information processing circuit 23 is connected to signallines of AWVALID, AWREADY, AWUSER, AWLEN, and WDATA, and directlyacquires data of the signal lines. The information processing circuit 23includes a multiplier 231, a register 232 a, a register 232 b, aregister 232 c, a decoder 233, a multiplexer 234, and an adder 235. Theregisters 232 a to 232 c record the data amount for each user ID. FIG. 4illustrates a case where three registers of the registers 232 a to 232 ccorrespond to three user IDs of ID=1 to 3. That is, the register 232 ais for a user with ID=1, the register 232 b is for a user with ID=2, andthe register 232 c is for a user with ID=3.

The rise of both of the AWVALID signal and the AWREADY signal indicatesthat the address and data are valid as described above. In theinformation processing circuit 23, an AND result of the AWVALID signaland the AWREADY signal is input to the registers 232 a to 232 c via ANDcircuits, which are at pre-stages of Enable terminals of the registers232 a to 232 c. Accordingly, the AND result of the AWVALID signal andthe AWREADY signal is set as a data acquisition timing for the registers232 a to 232 c.

The AWUSER signal includes the user ID. The user ID is input to thedecoder 233, and thus the decoder 233 rises an output signal of any oneof ID=1, ID=2, and ID=3. The output signal of any one of ID=1, ID=2, andID=3 is input to any one of the AND circuits, which are at pre-stages ofthe Enable terminals of the registers 232 a to 232 c. The AND circuitsat the pre-stages of the Enable terminals enable any one of theregisters 232 a to 232 c at the data acquisition timing.

In addition, the user ID is input to the multiplexer 234, and thus themultiplexer 234 selects and outputs any one of the output signals of theregisters 232 a to 232 c. The multiplexer 234 outputs an output value tothe adder 235. That is, the multiplexer 234 outputs the output valuecorresponding to the user ID to the adder 235.

The multiplier 231 detects the data amount by multiplying the bursttransmission length included in the AWLEN signal and the data bus widthincluded in the WDATA signal. In the present embodiment, the bursttransmission length and the data bus width included in the transmissiondata are detected, and thus, even in a simple circuit such as themultiplier 231, detection of the data amount (multiplication) can bemade. The multiplier 231 outputs the multiplied data amount to the adder235. The adder 235 adds the output of the multiplexer 234 and the outputof the multiplier 231, and inputs the result to Data terminals of theregisters 232 a to 232 c. Any one of the registers 232 a to 232 c, whichis enabled by the user ID, stores and records the data amount added bythe adder 235. The data amount for each user ID that is recorded in theregisters 232 a to 232 c can be read. For example, the CPU 11illustrated in FIG. 1 can read the data amount for each user ID that isrecorded in the registers 232 a to 232 c, by using data transmission bythe AXI bus. The recorded data amount for each user ID may betransmitted to a memory or the like by hardware (not illustrated).

In FIG. 4, although the case where the information processing circuit23, which is an aspect of the information processing apparatus accordingto the present embodiment, is realized by hardware is illustrated, apart of the functions of the information processing circuit 23 may berealized by a programmable device or software.

Next, a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of theinformation processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates a case where theinformation processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment isrealized by software.

In FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 1 has functions of afirst information processing unit 4 and a second information processingunit 5. The first information processing unit 4 has functions of a dataamount detection unit 41, a user information identification unit 42, anda recording unit 43. The second information processing unit 5 hasfunctions of a job data acquisition unit 51, a user informationacquisition unit 52, a user ID addition unit 53, a job processingstarting unit 54, a record information acquisition unit 55, anaccounting information generation unit 56, and an accounting informationrecording unit 57. In FIG. 5, these functions can be realized, forexample, by software executed by the CPU 11 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The data amount detection unit 41 has the same function as that of themultiplier 231. That is, the data amount detection unit 41 detects thedata amount based on the burst transmission length included in the AWLENsignal and the data bus width included in the WDATA signal. The dataamount detection unit 41 detects the data amount, for example, bymultiplying the burst transmission length and the data bus width. Inaddition, when the data bus width is fixed, the data amount detectionunit 41 may detect the data amount based on the burst transmissionlength.

The user information identification unit 42 identifies the userinformation included in the transmission data. For example, the userinformation identification unit 42 identifies the user ID added to theAWUSER signal of the AXI bus. In addition, the recording unit 43 recordsthe data amount detected by the data amount detection unit 41, for eachuser information identified by the user information identification unit42.

That is, the data amount detection unit 41, the user informationidentification unit 42, and the recording unit 43 in the firstinformation processing unit 4 are obtained by realizing the functions ofthe information processing circuit 23 using software.

The job data acquisition unit 51 acquires job data including userinformation that is related to image processing. The job related toimage processing is a job including data to be processed in the imageprocessing circuit. The job acquired by the job data acquisition unit 51is a job which is executed in the information processing apparatus 1.The job which is executed in the information processing apparatus 1 is aprint job, a copy job, a FAX job, a scan job, or the like. For example,the job data of a print job is generated when the information processingapparatus 1 acquires print data transmitted from the computer 8illustrated in FIG. 1. The job data of a copy job is generated when anoriginal document placed on the image reading unit 19 is read by auser's operation using the operation unit 16. It is assumed that the jobdata includes, for example, the user information acquired from the cardreader 18 or the like. The job data acquisition unit 51 acquires jobdata including the user information, and provides the acquired job datato the user information acquisition unit 52.

The user information acquisition unit 52 acquires user informationcorresponding to the job data. A method of acquiring the userinformation may differ depending on the job. For example, in a printerjob, user information is added to print data by a printer driver.Therefore, the user information acquisition unit 52 acquires userinformation included in printer data from a printer application of theinformation processing apparatus 1, for example. In addition, in somecases, a copy job or a scan job is executed after user authentication isperformed by the card reader 18 or the like. When a job is executedafter user authentication, the user information acquisition unit 52acquires user information corresponding to the job from anauthentication function section (for example, authenticationapplication) of the information processing apparatus 1. In a copy job orthe like which is executed without user authentication, the userinformation acquisition unit 52 cannot acquire user information. Whenthe user information cannot be acquired, the user informationacquisition unit 52 may acquire specific information such as “guest”indicating that the user information cannot be acquired, instead of theuser information.

The user ID addition unit 53 adds the user ID to the transmission datatransmitted when performing image processing. The user ID is generatedin correspondence with the user information acquired by the userinformation acquisition unit 52. For example, when the user ID is addedto predetermined bits of the AWUSER signal of the AXI bus, the user IDneeds to be expressed within a predetermined number of bits. The user IDaddition unit 53 converts the user information into a user ID withpredetermined bits, and adds the user ID to the AWUSER signal. The userID addition unit 53 may have a function of an application such as aprinter application or a copy application that executes a job.

The job processing starting unit 54 starts job processing bytransmitting the transmission data to which the user ID is added to theimage processing circuit. The job processing starting unit 54 may alsohave a function of an application that executes a job. Further, the jobprocessing starting unit 54 may instruct an application or the like thatexecutes a job to transmit the transmission data to which the user ID isadded.

The record information acquisition unit 55 acquires the data amount foreach recorded user ID. The record information acquisition unit 55acquires the data amount, for example, for each user ID recorded in therecording unit 43. Further, the record information acquisition unit 55may acquire the data amount for each user ID, by acquiring the output ofthe registers 232 a to 232 c illustrated in FIG. 4 from the data channelof the AXI bus.

The accounting information generation unit 56 generates accountinginformation based on the data amount for each user ID that is acquiredfrom the record information acquisition unit 55. The accountinginformation is, for example, use fee for each user ID. The accountinginformation may be generated by a unit price for a predetermined dataamount. In addition, the accounting information may be generated foreach department associated with a plurality of user IDs. The accountinginformation generation unit 56 records the generated accountinginformation in the accounting information recording unit 57. Theaccounting information recorded in the accounting information recordingunit 57 may be displayed on the display unit 15 or be printed by theprinting unit 20, for example, according to the operation of theoperation unit 16. The accounting information can be used for accountingmanagement.

In FIG. 5, although the case of performing accounting management as theuse management based on the data amount is illustrated, the usemanagement based on the data amount is not limited thereto. For example,when the data amount reaches a predetermined amount or more, theinformation processing apparatus may perform use restriction thatdecreases the processing speed of image processing or prohibits the useof image processing.

In FIG. 5, the case where each function of the data amount detectionunit 41, the user information identification unit 42, and the recordingunit 43 in the information processing apparatus 1 is realized bysoftware is described. In addition, the case where each function of thejob data acquisition unit 51, the user information acquisition unit 52,the user ID addition unit 53, the job processing starting unit 54, theaccounting information generation unit 56, and the accountinginformation recording unit 57 is realized by software is described.However, one or more functions of the information processing apparatus 1may be realized by hardware. In addition, each of the functions of theinformation processing apparatus 1 may be implemented by dividing onefunction into a plurality of functions. Further, each of the functionsof the information processing apparatus 1 may be implemented byintegrating two or more functions into one function. Furthermore, theinformation processing apparatus 1 may be a device realized by onecasing, or may be a system realized by a plurality of devices connectedvia a network or the like. For example, the information processingapparatus 1 may be configured with an apparatus such as a serverapparatus, a laptop PC, a tablet PC, a PDA, or a smartphone, and aperipheral apparatus such as a printer. In addition, one or morefunctions of the functions of the information processing apparatus 1 maybe realized by another apparatus. In other words, the informationprocessing apparatus 1 does not need to have all the functions, and mayhave some functions.

Further, in FIG. 5, the case where the first information processing unit4 and the second information processing unit are realized by software isdescribed. However, the information processing apparatus 1 may berealized, for example, by combining the information processing circuit23 and the second information processing unit 5.

Next, a flowchart illustrating user ID addition processing of theinformation processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 1 acquires job data (Act11). The acquisition of the job data is executed, for example, by thejob data acquisition unit 51. After executing the processing of Act 11,the information processing apparatus 1 acquires user informationcorresponding to the job data acquired in Act 11 (Act 12). Theacquisition of the user information is executed, for example, by theuser information acquisition unit 52. After executing the processing ofAct 12, the information processing apparatus 1 adds a user ID based onthe user information acquired in Act 12 to the transmission datatransmitted when performing image processing (Act 13). The addition ofthe user ID is executed, for example, by the user ID addition unit 53.After executing the processing of Act 13, the information processingapparatus 1 starts job processing (Act 14). The starting of the jobprocessing is executed by the job processing starting unit 54. Afterexecuting the processing of Act 14, the information processing apparatus1 ends processing illustrated in the flowchart.

Next, a flowchart illustrating accounting information generationprocessing of the information processing apparatus according to theembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7, the information processing apparatus 1 determines whether ornot record information is acquired (Act 21). The record information isthe data amount for each recorded user ID. The determination ofacquisition of the record information is executed, for example, by therecord information acquisition unit 55. When it is determined that therecord information is not acquired (NO in Act 21), the informationprocessing apparatus 1 repeats processing of Act 21 and waits foracquisition of the record information.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the record information isacquired (YES in Act 21), the information processing apparatus 1generates accounting information based on the data amount for each userID that is acquired in Act 21 (Act 22). The generation of the accountinginformation is executed, for example, by the accounting informationgeneration unit 56. After executing the processing of Act 22, theinformation processing apparatus 1 stores the accounting informationgenerated in Act 22. For example, the accounting information generationunit 56 writes the accounting information in the HDD 14 illustrated inFIG. 1, and thus the accounting information is stored. After executingthe processing of Act 23, the information processing apparatus 1 endsprocessing illustrated in the flowchart.

The above-described information processing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment includes a data amount detection unit that detects adata amount of data which is related to image processing and is includedin the transmission information transmitted when performing imageprocessing, and a recording unit that records the detected data amount.According to this configuration, the information processing apparatuscan detect and record the data amount related to image processing.

In addition, the information processing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment further includes a user information identificationunit that identifies user information included in the transmissioninformation, and the recording unit records the data amount for each ofthe identified user information. According to this configuration, theinformation processing apparatus can perform use management such asaccounting management when using the information processing apparatus,for each user, according to the data amount after image processing.

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment, the data amount detection unit detects the dataamount based on the bus width and the data length of data, which aredefined by a bus standard for transmitting transmission information.According to this configuration, the information processing apparatuscan easily detect the data amount.

In addition, in the information processing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment, the user information identification unit identifiesuser information included in the transmission information on apredetermined channel defined by a standard. According to thisconfiguration, the information processing apparatus can easily identifythe user information.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodimentincludes a user information addition unit, a data amount detection unit,a user information identification unit, a recording unit, an accountinginformation generation unit, and an image forming unit. The userinformation addition unit adds user information to transmissioninformation transmitted when performing image processing. The dataamount detection unit detects a data amount of data which is related toimage processing and is included in the transmission information. Theuser information identification unit identifies user informationincluded in the transmission information. The recording unit records thedetected data amount for each of the identified user information. Theaccounting information generation unit generates accounting informationbased on the recorded data amount for each user information. The imageforming unit forms an image based on the data. According to thisconfiguration, the image forming apparatus can detect and record thedata amount related to image processing. Further, it is possible toperform use management such as accounting management when using theimage forming apparatus for each user, by detecting and recording thedata amount.

According to at least one embodiment described above, the informationprocessing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a data amountdetection unit and a recording unit. According to this configuration, itis possible to detect and record the data amount related to imageprocessing.

In addition, the above-described various processing according to thepresent embodiment may be performed by executing a program for realizingthe functions of the apparatus described in the present embodiment. Theprogram to be executed may be recorded on a computer readable recordingmedium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be readinto a computer system. The “computer system” referred to herein may beone including hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Inaddition, when a WWW system is used, the “computer system” may be oneincluding a website providing environment (or display environment).Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” is, for example, awritable nonvolatile memory such as a flexible disk, a magneto-opticaldisk, a ROM, a flash memory, or the like. The computer readablerecording medium may be a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, or a storagedevice such as a hard disk built in the computer system.

Furthermore, the “computer readable recording medium” includes thoseholding a program for a certain period of time. The computer-readablerecording medium is, for example, a volatile memory inside a computersystem serving as a server or a client when a program is transmitted viaa communication line. The communication line is, for example, a networksuch as the Internet, a telephone line, or the like. The volatile memoryis, for example, a dynamic RAM (DRAM). In addition, the program may betransmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in astorage device or the like to another computer system. The transmissionof the program is performed, for example, via a transmission medium orby a transmission wave in a transmission medium. Here, the “transmissionmedium” that transmits the program refers to a medium having a functionof transmitting information. The transmission medium is, for example, anetwork (communication network) such as the Internet or a communicationline (communication line) such as a telephone line. Further, the programmay be one for realizing a part of the above-described functions.Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file(differential program) which realizes the above-described functions incombination with a program recorded in advance in the computer system.

While a certain embodiment has been described, the embodiment has beenpresented by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the scopeof the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiment described herein may beembodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions,substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiment described hereinmay be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. Theaccompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover suchforms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of theinventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: abus having a predetermined channel defined by a bus standard; an imageprocessing circuit connected to the bus; and an information processingcircuit connected to the image processing circuit, the informationprocessing circuit comprising: a multiplier configured to detect a dataamount of data related to image processing included in transmissioninformation transmitted from the bus to the image processing circuit anda data amount of data related to image processing included intransmission information transmitted from the image processing circuitto the bus; and an adder configured to record the detected data amountof data in a register.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a user information identification unit configured toidentify user information included in the transmission information,wherein detected data comprises a data amount for each of the identifieduser information.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thedata amount varies with a bus width and a data length of the data, whichare defined by the bus standard for transmitting the transmissioninformation.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the userinformation identification unit identifies user information included inthe transmission information on a predetermined channel defined by thebus standard.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:an image forming unit configured to form an image based on the data. 6.The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a processorconfigured to generate accounting information based on the amount ofdata detected by the information processing circuit.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a processor configured togenerate accounting information based on the amount of data detected bythe information processing circuit, with the proviso that the processordoes not detect the amount of data.
 8. An information processingapparatus comprising: a bus having a predetermined channel defined by abus standard; an image processing circuit connected to the bus; and aninformation processing circuit connected to the image processingcircuit, the information processing circuit comprising: a multiplierconfigured to detect a data amount of data related to image processingincluded in transmission information transmitted from the bus to theimage processing circuit and a data amount of data related to imageprocessing included in transmission information transmitted from theimage processing circuit to the bus; an adder configured to record thedetected data amount of data in a register; and a multiplexer configuredto output an output signal of the register to the adder.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a user informationidentification unit configured to identify user information included inthe transmission information, wherein detected data comprises a dataamount for each of the identified user information.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the data amount varies with a bus widthand a data length of the data, which are defined by the bus standard fortransmitting the transmission information.
 11. The apparatus accordingto claim 10, wherein the user information identification unit identifiesuser information included in the transmission information on apredetermined channel defined by the bus standard.
 12. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, further comprising: an image forming unitconfigured to form an image based on the data.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, further comprising: a processor configured togenerate accounting information based on the amount of data detected bythe information processing circuit.
 14. The apparatus according to claim8, further comprising: a processor configured to generate accountinginformation based on the amount of data detected by the informationprocessing circuit, with the proviso that the processor does not detectthe amount of data.